Online Relevance

As Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, it is sad that this has to be said, but it's true.

Newspapers are dying.

It is the unfortunate, but obvious fact that all journalists must come to terms with. The Information Age has moved on from print and into the intangible creation that is the digital world. People prefer to get their news and information from the internet, rather than going to the library or picking up a newspaper as the majority did not too long ago. Computers have changed everything, and there's no going back.

I still believe that newspapers are worthwhile, but the other avenues have to be considered as well.

I visited Ohio University this past weekend, and this question was brought up when we, the future students who will be studying journalism, were able to speak with current college students who are in the same major. "How has Scripps prepared students to adapt to a world in which the death of print is soon approaching?" This is a pretty accurate quote, because I remember the person saying it in a relatively dramatic fashion. The question was quickly answered though, and I was impressed.

Facebook, Twitter, and blogs have become an important part of journalism, which surprised me at first, but not after considering why.

People go on their Facebook page or post on their blog every day, while some check their Twitter almost every minute. I would love to say that's an exaggeration, but I've seen it before. Check phone, look at teacher. Check phone again, look at teacher. Check phone, read tweet, chuckle, feign paying attention.

My main point is that I'm going to have to learn more about the other social networking sites as well if I wish to have an upper-hand in a journalism/writing career. I must thank Ms. Serensky for forcing us to make these blogs though, because believe it or not, this was the first thing that was said at the presentation for the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at O.U.

"If you don't have a blog, make one."

Minecraft

(The title of my blog is the title of a popular indie video game that has been in development since May 10, 2009.

Technically, the game isn't even finished, but it is simply amazing.)

When you first begin, you are given no direction. There is no tutorial, no instructions, nothing. There are no other people, no cities, no towns, no civilization. It's simply you standing by yourself.

If you look to the horizon though, you'll notice that there is a small forest. Perhaps you can get some wood from them? Punching trees may seem relatively stupid, but waiting around for nightfall would be an even worse idea.

It takes a while, but you have collected a little pile of wood. It takes quite a bit of thinking, but you eventually learn that by turning some of the wood into sticks, you may create a handle. A wooden pickaxe may not help you mine much, but it's all you have for now.

Time passes as you wander the landscape, while the sun passes the horizon and darkness descends upon you. You begin to walk with a bit more caution in each step, but then you suddenly take off in a sprint after hearing the hungry moan from the walking dead. To your surprise (and dismay), zombies rule the night. Right now, you are in their domain.

You dig into the ground and cover the top, sealing yourself in a hole for the night. It's a pathetic situation, you know, but what else could be done? Just then, you realize something. If a wooden pickaxe can be crafted, why not a wooden sword? You go into your inventory and attempt your brilliant idea, which obviously works.

Your wooden sword is no match for the onslaught of arrows that the skeletons can shoot, but at least it's something. It is a horrible feeling as you sit in your hole, because you are wasting precious time that could be used to collect other resources. You gather up your courage and decide to dig further downward, into the unknown. With a torch lit and a pickaxe in hand, you are not simply determined to survive. No, you wish for much more; you want to live.

(All this, and there is literally no written story or history about the game. This is the sense you have while playing. Writing is a powerful thing, but so are imagery and atmosphere. Watch the following videos to see why this is an award winning game.

I always thought this game could be made into an amazing book. I could definitely see it.)

Torn

I've been excited for quite some time, but I suddenly realized how ready I am for college. High school has been great for what it's worth, but I think it's about time to start my next big endeavor. We've been going to the same building to see (generally) the same teachers for the past four years. I can honestly say that I consider myself lucky for going to such a wonderful school with teachers who (for the most part) know what they're doing. A handful of teachers have affected my education and life in such a way that it would be hard to imagine how I would be without their guidance.

College can also be a scary experience, however, and I have my anxieties. Even though I'm sick of the repetition  that high school provides, I find myself stressing about the unknown. Will I really enjoy college life? I'm sure I will, but still, you never know. Will I get a crazy roommate? I don't care if they're a bit odd, but I just don't want any kind of voodoo ceremonies going on in my room. That would be a tad annoying, to say the least. Will my roommate be too normal? I'm a unique individual myself, so I don't want to worry about getting judged by someone who lives with me. I'll have a lot of stresses in my life when I go to college, and my roommate should not be one of them.

The thought of freedom comes to mind though, and my silly questions don't really seem to matter. Generally, I'll be able to do what I want and when I want to, and that sounds amazing to me. I love my parents, and they are extremely lenient for the most part, but I can't wait to finally start living on my own.

Then again, who's going to cook? It's alright, I can cook up a mean bowl of cereal.

Then again, maybe my roommate will steal my cereal. In which case, the following would probably happen.

Roommate

Me

I'd keep glaring until something happened. Believe me, it works.